UN Cautions There Are Specific Coronavirus Health Risks for Women

Coronavirus health risks affect us all. That said, due to how new COVID-19 remains, scientists and doctors are still learning about what they are.  Some of the more rapid-onset signs and symptoms have been easier to identify. However, discovering precisely how we’re affected and how certain groups of people are affected differently than others takes time. That said, the symptoms of the illness aren’t the only risk factor many people are facing.

Women Have Unique Coronavirus Health Risks

The World Health Organization has released a statement that cautions women, particularly those in certain groups, to take extra care in COVID-19 prevention due to additional coronavirus health risks. The UN Population Fund has warned that women could face certain serious consequences from the pandemic, and they don’t all have to do with contracting the virus.

It examined factors such as economic, medical treatment access and gender-based domestic violence.  When taking these types of issues into account, the organization said that inequalities for women may only worsen as a result of the pandemic.

Concerns for Domestic Situations and for Pregnant Women

The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) conducted a global review of the situation.  They identified additional coronavirus health risks for pregnant women.  Again, not necessarily due to the virus itself, but because of the situation the pandemic has created as the world works to contain it.  Pregnant women requiring antenatal care and women in abusive relationships were determined to be those with the highest risk to their wellness throughout the pandemic.

The executive director of the UNFPA, Dr. Natalia Kanem, underscored that the pandemic has “severely disrupted” services relating to sexual and reproductive health as well as to gender-based violence services.  Dr. Kanem pointed out that this was occurring “at a time when women and girls need these services most.”

The UN’s Briefing on Early Reports

On April 9, 2020, the UN’s briefing stated that the mortality rate among men is higher when it comes to COVID-19 infection.  That said, it placed the spotlight on a different type of wellness impact.  The coronavirus health risks to women may be the same in terms of infection rate. However, females of all age – adult women, adolescents and girls – are typically more adversely impacted due to the reallocation of resources and priorities, particularly in the areas of reproductive and sexual health services and in services protecting them from abusive relationships and domestic situations. This shows that the medical impact of the pandemic is greater than the infections themselves.